Taf"fe*ta (?), Taf"fe*ty (?), n. [F. taffetas, It. taffeta, from Per. taftah, originally, twisted, woven, from taftan to twist, to spin.]
A fine, smooth stuff of silk, having usually the wavy luster called watering. The term has also been applied to different kinds of silk goods, from the 16th century to modern times.
Lined with taffeta and with sendal.
Chaucer.
© Webster 1913.